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The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' ([[Praeta]]: ''kin strife''), was a major conflict between the [[Benacian Union]] and [[Shireroth]], bring to a head the longstanding geopolitical competition for hegemony over the continent of [[Benacia]].

==Background==
{{Main|Shiro-Benacian Cold War}}{{see also|Shirekeep blockade}}
By the eleventh month of {{AN|1733}} the scale of the build up in [[Shirerithian]] forces, evidenced by their [[Sathrati Emergency|reconquest]] of [[Sathrati]] during the previous year, had made it abundantly clear to [[Benacia Command]] and the [[High Presidium of the Benacian Union]], that there would be no prospect of preventing the massive reinforcement of the Imperial Republic in [[Benacia]] from [[Greater Kildare]]. Moreover, the absolute advantage of the [[Imperial Forces]] in naval tonnage and manpower would place the entire coastline of the [[Benacian Union]] at risk of assault from the sea. Defensive counters, such as building up the coastal defence forces and repairing the [[East Wall (defensive works)|East Wall]], were both feared to be insufficient countermeasures. As such, Benacia Command came increasingly to the view that the only chance the Benacian Union had of achieving "[[Endsieg]]" would require immediate action within a rapidly closing window of opportunity.

===The Ankh incident===

The speed with which the Shirerithian conquest of Sathrati had been effected raised serious alarm in [[Chryse]] and [[Ransenar]]. Visions of a vast armada of small boats assembling in [[the Guttuli]] to disgorge unnumbered multitudes of [[Jing]] auxiliaries were stoked by the tabloid press. In spite of the waves of mobilisation undertaken in {{AN|1730}} and {{AN|1731}}, and notwithstanding the efforts now underway to restore the East Wall, popular opinion remained greatly disquieted, and a sense of vulnerability permeated almost every layer of government and society. 

Amongst the responses of a population now under the shadows of mounting fear was a revival in the militia movement. Volunteers, of their own volition began to organise a "[[Captaincy of the Three Ports#Corps of River Fencibles|Corps of River Fencibles]]" at [[Teldrin]] during {{AN|1733}}, sponsored by the [[Honourable Company]] and the [[Guild of Factors]] in the bailiwick. This initiative would be mirrored by similar armed assemblies forming at [[Borden]] and [[Tyrelwynn]].

In order to ensure that this movement did not escape out from underneath the control of the authorities of the realm, the corps was duly recognised under letters patent issued by the crown in Ransenar and made subject to the [[Captaincy of the Three Ports]].

With the main effort of the substantial [[Maritime Forces of the Benacian Union|Riverine Fleet]] of the [[BUDF]] focused upon the [[Shirekeep blockade]], the defence of the [[River Elwynn]] below the boom defences at Teldrin would remain largely in the hands of local Ransenari forces, including the new ''fencibles''.

During this time of heightened vigilance, a Shirerithian [[Gong Customs Corvette Class Mk III|Gong-class corvette]], the ''IRS Lacrymosa I'', was transferred to the [[Imperial Navy of Shireroth#Central Armada Command]] area of operations and passed the [[Gates of the Guttuli]] bound northwards for [[Ankh]] on 20.XI.{{AN|1733}}.

[[Category: Shiro-Benacian conflict]]